Entrepreneur leads the way for tomorrow’s workplace

ST. CHARLES – Mara Hauser, president of The Hauser Group, a national office design firm in St. Charles, is looking to the future for trends in the workplace. Hauser said in a news release that companies must embrace and incorporate workforce trends of the future into their business today if they want to stay competitive.

In the release, Hauser said that roles that used to be filled by full-time employees will soon become blends of a combination of employees and contingent workers, which could make up 40 to 45 percent of the workforce by 2020.

By the year 2020, there will also be a shift to a multi-generational workforce, consisting of five generations. This could have a substantial effect on corporate culture, the release states.

“What this tells us is that work spaces will need to reflect a more casual and informal attitude, and more fluid and flexible work styles and schedules,” Hauser said in the release. “Designs for workplaces will need to incorporate community, collaboration, and concentration.”

Work spaces will include open floor plans and adaptable areas, which allow people to break into teams without a major renovation.

According to the release, The Hauser Group office space uses work stations, tables and filing cabinets, and are all on casters for quick and easy redesign; meeting spaces allow for use of laptops and wi-fi so employees have the ability to work from anywhere in the office.

The Hauser Group was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2011, ranking No. 197 in the Business Products and Services category, states the release.

Currently, Hauser is involved with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Chicago – a national investment by the Goldman Sachs Foundation to help small businesses create jobs and growth by providing business education, access to capital and support services.

In the release, she said the program has challenged her to evaluate her business.
“We have several opportunities for growth, and the 10,000 Small Businesses program is helping define the best path for us, which is exciting,” She said.